Late yesterday, Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) sent a letter to HHS Secretary Becerra urging equitable relief for senior living providers, and were joined by 57 other members of Congress (34 Democrats and 23 Republicans). This was an exceptional bipartisan show of support from Congress and accompanies the Senate letter led by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) that drew a full quarter of the chamber (11 Democrats and 14 Republicans). Both Representative Spanberger and Senator Sinema issued press releases (House, Senate) to highlight the strong show of support on this issue.

We are pleased to share that yesterday Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) sent their sign-on letter to HHS Secretary Becerra, requesting an equitable allocation of the estimated $23 billion in unspent provider relief funds be made to senior living providers. The letter came at Argentum's request and follows a continuous advocacy push on Capitol Hill that allowed us to garner the support of 25 Senators (a quarter of the chamber).

Earlier today, Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) began circulating a sign-on letter to members of Congress, asking the Biden administration to allocate remaining provider relief fund dollars to senior living providers. The sign-on letter is a companion to the sign-on letter being led by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Susan Collins (R-ME). Both letters underscore the critical need of senior living communities and amplify the message Argentum has been sending to the administration.

Earlier today, President Biden signed into law H.R. 1799, the “PPP Extension Act of 2021,” which extends the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application deadline to May 31, 2021, and extends the PPP program through June 30, 2021. Argentum supported this measure to provide additional time for eligible providers to apply for relief through the program before it closes.

Senators Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) and Susan Collins (R-ME) are leading a bipartisan sign-on letter to HHS asking the Biden Administration to allocate remaining provider relief fund dollars to senior living providers.

Earlier today, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sent a letter to the Senate Democratic Caucus on the April work period and priorities moving forward. The letter details the plans to consider President Biden's FY2022 Budget and the Build Back Better proposals, which may form the core of the forthcoming infrastructure package. Argentum is working with lawmakers to craft a long-term care section in the legislation that would include immediate provider relief and long-term investments in facilities, technology, and infection control. The full letter is posted below:

Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Xavier Becerra as Health and Human Services Secretary by a 50-49 margin. The support from Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins removed the need for the Vice President to cast a tiebreaking vote. Becerra, who has been California's Attorney General since 2017, will be the first Latino to head the department. In addition to tackling the federal COVID-19 response efforts, Becerra will oversee an expansion of the Affordable Care Act.

Sens. Murray (D-WA) and Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Scott (D-VA) have reintroduced the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. The members released text of the bill, a section-by-section analysis, and a fact sheet. The bill has 194 co-sponsors, including two Republicans – Reps. Smith (NJ-4) and Fitzpatrick (PA-1). Last February, the House voted 224-194 to pass this legislation as H.R. 2474, but it did not advance in the Senate.

Attention Argentum Advocates! We are calling on you to join us in our Standing With Seniors letter-writing campaign, urging Congress to prioritize seniors and their caregivers in the next COVID-19 relief package.

As you may know, President Biden and leaders in Congress are working quickly to pass a COVID-19 relief package. While they negotiate the details, it is critically important that they hear from constituents across the country that seniors—those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19—and their caregivers must remain priority number one for vaccines, PPE and testing, and financial relief.